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The Royal Toybox has become a popular feature of court, made possible by the generosity of the artisans and craftsmen of Our populace. We hope you and the children have enjoyed both the chase of reigns past and the learning opportunities recently. Supplies in the box are running low and We would ask for donations to refill it. Ideal donations are small, period-appropriate toys and games, without too many small pieces, suitable for boys and girls alike.

In Service to the East,
Brion Rex and Anna Regina

Donations can be delivered to the royal room at any event or given directly to their Majesties or retainers. Please include a note with the names of the donators.

Excavations of the 10th century Borgring fortress discovered on the Danish island of Zealand in 2014 are still in the early stages. A few test pits were dug in 2014 in areas believed to be, based on initial laser and geomagnetic surveys of the site, the fortress gates. Large oak timbers, blackened by fire, confirmed that there had indeed been gates there and that the fort had had a catastrophic fire shortly after its construction. Few artifacts were found. Only a single axe head was reported, that I could find.

That record has changed dramatically thanks to the discovery of a rare Viking toolkit at the east gate. Volunteer metal detectorists Kent and Knuds scanned the area and got a loud signal from their machines. Archaeologists could tell there was something in the soil there, and since the signal indicated the metal wasn’t in the top layer (where it could easily have been a piece of modern farm equipment) but rather deeper down in the layers of archaeological interest, they decided to remove the whole block of soil encasing whatever had set off the metal detectors.

Wrapped in plastic to keep it together, the entire soil block was transported to the Zealand University Hospital in Køge to get a CT scan. The hospital scanner confirmed that there was a group of iron objects inside that looked like they might be tools including spoon drills (used to drill holes in wood) and a drawplate (used to produce thin wire for jewelry). The pieces appeared to be laid out in careful order, suggesting they weren’t dumped or lost. They were likely kept in a toolbox whose wood has now decayed.

Archaeologists spent two days excavating the soil block and found 14 iron objects. There were pieces that were not visible on the scan because they were too corroded or their iron content was too low to register. The more corroded objects cannot be identified at this time; conservation may help make it clear what their original purpose was, and now that they’ve been removed from the soil block, the objects will be individually X-rayed to get a better idea of their design. Archaeologist Nanna Holm suspects one of the spoon drills may actually be a pair of tweezers or pliers, for example.

This box of tools would have been extremely valuable in the Viking era. Only a few of them have ever been discovered. If a tool was broken or became unusable for any reason, they were melted down and made into something else practical, not thrown out. The discovery of a fully loaded toolbox by the east gate is highly significant within the context of Borgring itself, because it’s the first evidence that people actually lived there.

The craftsmen presumably lived very well, whether he used the east gate as a home or a workshop. It was 30 to 40 square metres of space and had its own fireplace–and of course, the toolbox with the valuable iron tools.

So why did he leave the premises and his toolbox?

Perhaps because at some point, the gate simply collapsed, says Holm.

“We found the tools under the posts, so there’s some evidence that the gate collapsed, and it probably did so because they were rotten, old, and unstable. We only discovered the outline of the posts, suggesting that the rest simply rotted away. Then the tools got buried until we discovered now,” she says.

It seems that the fire that struck the east and north gates did not destroy the fort. It was put out before the gates could collapse and the fire spread to the rest of the fortress. After the fire, two layers of clay were built up inside the gate. There was a fireplace in each layer, and the toolbox was unearthed from the newer of the two clay layers. That means the craftsman who lived or worked at the east gate did so after the fire.

The tools are being studied and conserved now. Next year, conservation should be complete and the toolkit will go on public display.

Coin experts have identified a rare example of an 1883 Racketeer Nickel in a group of coins excavated in the historic Chinatown of Deadwood, South Dakota. The coin was discovered in July of 2001 during one of four excavations of Deadwood’s Chinatown district. It was one of more than 200 coins found over the course of four years, most of them Chinese brass pieces. They were all sent to the South Dakota Archeological Research Center in Rapid City to be catalogued only to return to Deadwood in 2009 when City Hall got a new storage facility and laboratory for historic artifacts.

Nobody realized there was a very special coin in the mix until this year. Deadwood Historic Preservation Office had sent photos of the Chinese coins to numismatists Dr. Margie Akin and her husband Kevin Akin last year. They were able to identify all but 16 of them from the pictures. In September of this year, the Akins went to Deadwood where they were asked to examine the 16 mystery coins in person. That done, City Archivist Mike Runge, who is in charge of the city’s vast college of documentary and archaeological materials, showed them a small group of US coins that had been found during the digs.

“It’s a common joke among archeologists that the best thing you find, the most important discoveries, are made in the last hour of the last day,” Margie Akin said recently from California. “I’ve seen many cases where that has been true.”

And it came true again. [...]

“When we found it, I held it up and said, ‘Margie, look at this. A Racketeer Nickel, oh my God!’” Kevin recalled. “It was a bit of a Eureka moment.”

What makes the 1883 Racketeer Nickel such a treasure is that it looked a lot more expensive than it was. It was close in size to a $5 gold piece, and it was the first base metal coin to have a Liberty-head design. The Mint also muddied the waters by only indicating the coin’s value with the Roman numeral “V.” The word “cents” appeared nowhere.

This was an open invitation to fraudsters they accepted with alacrity. A bit of cheap gold plating on the new nickel, and voila! That’s how you make five dollars out of five cents.

U.S. Treasury officials denied there was a problem. But a local newspaper story at the time told a different tale.

“The new nickel five-cent piece is the subject of much discussion in the treasury department,” the Feb. 22, 1883, Black Hills Daily Times reported. “Treasurer Gilfillan carries one in his vest pocket. One of these coins is plated with gold, and its resemblance on one side to a five-dollar gold piece is quite striking. The broad ‘V’ on the opposite side is unlike the device on any other coin, and of course should be an effectual barrier to its fraudulent use.”

The same newspaper article stated that Mint Director Horatio Burchard, “ridicules the idea of any successful counterfeit of gold being made from the new nickel. He said that a proposition to suspend coinage of the new piece has not been made, and so far as he knows none is contemplated.”

Coinage was not suspended, but less than a month later, the Secretary of the Treasury ordered that the word “cents” be added to the reverse of the 1883 nickels underneath the V. They could no longer be passed off to the unobservant as gold five dollar pieces, but the resourceful grifters of Deadwood found another use for them.

Three months later, the Daily Times reported that well-heeled merchants and miners of Deadwood had found a new use for the Racketeer Nickel.

“A number of the toney young men about town are wearing cuff buttons made of the new nickels,” the newspaper reported. “They are highly plated with gold, and to the uninitiated look for all the world like genuine five-dollar gold pieces.”

The one found at Deadwood has no market value — something like 10 cents at most, the Akins say, because of its very poor condition — but its link to the famously rowdy past of the Black Hills mining town give it great historical worth.

A preventative excavation of a site in the village of Langrolay-sur-Rance near Dinan in Brittany, northwestern France, has unearthed a huge Gallo-Roman villa. Archaeologists from France’s National Institute for Preventative Archaeology (INRAP) began excavating the 2.3 hectare site, the future location of a subdivision, in July 2016. They discovered multiple structures arranged in a u-shape around a central courtyard with colonnaded galleries on three sides. This was the pars urbana (the residential section) of a great villa and this section alone covered 1,500 square meters (16,000 square feet).

The main part of the house was built on a plateau with a beautiful view of the Rance river. The secondary structure faced south and was constantly flooded by sunlight. The third structure may have been used as stable. The courtyard and areas surrounding the buildings were landscaped gardens. Coins found at the villa indicate it was originally constructed in the 1st century A.D., it was altered and expanded over the years and was in use at least through the 4th century.

The most impressive testament to how exceptionally luxurious this villa was is its personal bath complex. At more than 400 square meters (4,300 square feet), it included a shallow foot bath, a warm pool, a cool pool, and a large caldarium, the hottest room in the complex, that had both a hot tub and a sauna. Bathers would start out with the foot bath, then take a dip in the cold and warm pools. Once washed, they’d move on to the caldarium to work up a proper sweat. They’d wash again and get a massage in the warm room and finish with a pore-closing cold bath. The private homes of the rich often had bathing facilities, but such a large, complex one is rare.

Unlike the rest of the villa of which only the foundations and patches of concrete floors have survived, walls and floors of the bath complex are extant, including the tile stacks that raised the floor to allow the hypocaust system to heat the warm rooms. The walls were decorated with frescoes inlaid with shell, a characteristic Armorican style developed beginning in the 3rd century A.D. White, red, green, blue or yellow shells of different species would be embedded in fresh mortar to create intricate designs. Because the mortar had to be wet when the shells were applied, many workers applied themselves to the task at the same time. A few fragments of decorative shell have been found at 23 ancient sites in western France, but only two of those were large enough to make it possible to piece together the pattern of decoration. The remains discovered at Langrolay are unprecedented in their size and quality.

Such a massive villa was likely the country home of a very rich and politically prominent noble family, probably of the Curiosolitae people. The nearby village of Corseul is believed to have been the capital of the Curiosolitae (the naming of the main town after the people was a Gallic convention) and remains of the ancient Roman city of Fanum Martis have been discovered there. The villa would have been an easily accessible half-day’s ride from the city about eight miles away. It could also have been reached by river, a short boat trip up the Rance.

The excavation was originally scheduled to be finished by the end of November, with whatever could be salvaged removed from the site and the rest destroyed to make way for the undoubtedly unworthy subdivision. The discovery caused a sensation, however. When it was opened to the public on September 17th and 18th, more than 6,000 people visited it. The construction plan is going to be revised, as the city council voted to conserve the thermal baths in situ. For now, the site will be reburied for its own protection.

Lord Lorenzo Quintain, mundanely known as Larry Scharf, passed from this world on November 7, 2016. He was an early founding member and subchieftain of the legendary House Three Skulls and a member of the Barony of An Dubhaigeainn, being one of its former Seneschals. He was a dedicated member of the Society, active as a Heavy List Fighter, Fencer, and Archer. Outside of the SCA he was the CEO and Co-Founder of Brothers Grim Games in Selden, NY and worked for the Suffolk County Police Department for over 27 years. Lord Lorenzo received his AoA in 1988 and was known by many for his stories, his friendliness, and his generous nature.

The Gazette thanks Lady Rue for her words, and Fiona the Volatile for the photograph.

Lord Avraham ben Ahron passed away on October 20 after a brief battle with cancer. Avraham was a lifelong resident of Eastern Connecticut except for a few years spent in Boston during his education. His research into Sogdian culture and Gers (Yurts) was notable, as was his infectious enthusiasm and his generosity in sharing his work. Avraham was among the first SCA ger builders and built his first over thirty years ago. He researched Mongolian and other Silk Road cultures and artifacts.

Avraham was active in the SCA for many years, although he was absent for some time due to family obligations. Baron of Dragonship Haven, Master Joseph of the Red Griffin of Dragonship Haven, remembers making his first armor with Avrahm’s direction and help in Avrahm’s driveway sometime in the mid-1980s. Avraham was inducted into the Order of the Yale, Dragonship Haven’s Baronial service order, in 1981. In 1987, he became a member of the Order of the Hawk’s Bell, a Dragonship Haven Baronial A&S order that has since closed. The East bestowed an Award of Arms on him in 1982.

Master Jaji shared the following memories of Avraham.

Avraham at Pennsic. Photo courtesy of Virag Qarabay.

“Avrahm ben Ahron broke ground and blazed trails in the fields of Jews in the SCA period, and those who lived on/near the Steppes in particular. If you have seen a yurt (ger) in the SCA over the last 30 years, chances are it was based at least partly on his design. He forged his own blade which he carried proudly…even if he felt there were 27 flaws which he was surprised no one could see (but himself, of course).

As a dutiful son, he stopped his life entirely to care for his ailing mother. When she passed several years ago, he ‘returned to the fold’. Those who knew him before he stopped coming around welcomed him back, and those who had never met him had a chance to do so. He searched long and hard to locate the appropriate fabric for garb his new researches had shown him was more appropriate for his persona. He wore that as proudly as the saber he forged…along with the bow, quiver, and arrows he also made. I am honored to say that he called me a friend all these years. “

A stolen page from a 14th century illuminated manuscript that has been in the Cleveland Museum of Art since the 1950s is now in the hands of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations division in preparation for its return to Italy. Codex D is an antiphonary, a book of chants used by liturgical choirs in the Middle Ages, which was once held by the Church of Saints Ippolito and Biagio in Castelfiorentino, Tuscany, a town about halfway between Florence in Pisa, and is now kept in a Castelfiorentino museum. It’s not certain exactly when, but two illuminated leaves were stolen from the manuscript. One of them was bought by the Cleveland Museum of Art in 1952. It was attributed to a different illuminator at the time and the museum put it on display without realizing there was anything shady about its ownership history.

ICE only got involved recently when the second leaf from Codex D appeared on the art and antiquities Swiss market. That leaf was repatriated to Italy, but the investigation into its theft and recovery led to the leaf in Cleveland.

Working collaboratively with HSI to research the history of the leaf and after evaluating the information provided by the Italian government, the Museum agreed the leaf should be transferred to Italy to be reunited with the Antiphonary.

“Once we were able to substantiate the information provided, we decided that the best place for the leaf was back with the Antiphonary. We feel the leaf has greater significance if it is reunited with the other illuminations in the manuscript. Along with the recovery of a second leaf, the Antiphonary will now be complete” said William Griswold, director of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

The antiphonary was illuminated by one of the greatest artists of the first half of the 14th century. His name has yet to be discovered, but he is known as the Master of the Dominican Effigies. He was given his moniker by art historian Richard Offner after his magnum opus, a panel painting in the Church of Santa Maria Novella, Florence, entitled Christ and the Virgin Mary Enthroned, Attended by Seventeen Dominican Saints and Beati (beatified or blessed ones). His panel paintings were smaller triptychs and tabernacles characterized by complex narratives rendered on a miniature scale. He was one of a group of Florentine artists in the 14th century classified as painters of the “miniaturist tendency” who sought to capture the dynamism and emotion of life in the details of small scenes.

Many of the miniaturists, the Master of the Dominican Effigies prominent among them, were also manuscript illuminators. Indeed, their illumination skills played an important role in the artists’ approach to panel painting. Panels by the Master of Dominican Effigies, for example, have exquisite freeform decorative details created with a stylus rather than the metal rods with patterns on one end, known as punch tools, that were frequently used by Tuscan painters from the early 14th century to stamp decorations onto the work. He did it by hand with what was basically a pen, just like he did in his manuscripts.

The Master was one of the preeminent illuminators of his age and was commissioned by secular and religious patrons to illuminate antiphonaries, hymnals, even copies of Dante’s Divine Comedy. The Laudario of Sant’Agnese, a hymnal he illuminated together with his friend and the other preeminent illuminator of their time, Pacino di Bonaguida, is widely considered one of the most important illuminated manuscripts made in early 14th century Florence. Its pages are scattered in 16 collections in Europe and the United States, four of them in J. Paul Getty Museum.

Because of their rarity and art historical importance, individual pages from manuscripts illuminated by the Master of Dominican Effigies are highly prized and found in a number of top US museums, including the National Gallery of Art as well as the Getty. Even small fragments of his illuminations are considered museum quality and can be found in museums like the Art Institute of Chicago. One of the Getty’s Laudario holdings is a fragment, a cutout of the martyrdom of St. Lawrence by Pacino di Bonaguida.

Only one leaf from of The Laudario of Sant’Agnese is still in Italy, so the return of both stolen leafs from the Codex D antiphonary is a rare and precious thing. ICE and the Italian government are working out the details of the repatriation now.

The East Kingdom Gazette is saddened to report the unexpected passing of The Honorable Lord Wulfang Gruenwald, mundanely known as Robert Betts, on Saturday, November 5th, 2016. Wulfgang joined the SCA in 2009 after being brought to Ghosts, Ghouls, & Goblins and tossed into the kitchen by his Lady, Tysha z Kieva. He was awarded arms in 2011 by Lucan VIII & Jana V, received a Silver Crescent, Burdened Tyger, Tyger of Foreign Legions, as well as the King’s & Queen’s Awards of Esteem, and a Light of Carillion during his time in the SCA. A resident of the Barony of Carillion, he was protegéd to Maîtresse Jehannine de Flandres, and was a member of House Grog.

MaîtresseJehannine de Flandres was Wulfgang’s Peer, and shared the following:

Wulfgang was a man who inspired a love of cooking and touched so many people in the SCA and beyond. His love of bacon, his laugh, and his generosity are some of the things that I will miss the most. He had such a wonderful way of bringing people into his circle and making them feel like family. It was this passion that we shared and why he asked me to be his Peer and mentor. Over the years I watched him strive to create wonderful feasts for Royals, Runnymeade, and his friends’ vigils. His kitchens were always filled with laughter and joy.

From the time Wulfgang entered our game he sought to return the love and welcome he received from his Barony, to all those he encountered. From his friends THL Ingvar Thorsteinsson & THL Hasanah al Khalil ibn Habib :

Wulfgang was the kind of guy you just wanted to be around; the kind of person who would give you what you needed, be it a shot of whisky, a plate of food, the shirt off his back, or his boot in your backside… he lived his personal life just as chivalrous at an event or in a disaster relief kitchen.

The Sandy Relief Kitchens Created by Wulfgang (2014)

Many remember the disaster relief kitchen Wulfgang organized in Sandy Hook, New Jersey following the devastation wrought by Superstorm Sandy. He gathered hundreds of volunteers, from SCAdians, to friends from Rainbow family communities, and many others, to come to a town struggling to survive in the devastation to their community in the aftermath of a storm. This massive undertaking, organized with the town leaders by Wulfgang served hundreds of meals per day during the clean-up efforts in difficult conditions. Master Mael Eoin mac Echuid, Baron of Bhakail describes Wulfgang and his deeds during that time this way:

Wulfgang was a person to aspire to. The nicest guy, he would not only give you the shirt off his back, if he didn’t have a shirt, he’d reach out to his numerous networks of friends and see who might be able to help… He was that guy… he was someone I wish I could be; if I could do half of what he’s done, be half as good a person, I’d be happy.

But it wasn’t just in dire straits that one could count on Wulfgang, as illustrated here by Duchess Kiena Stewart:

Bob, Gave… simple and straightforward. We wanted to attend NRWC a few years back and had no camp infrastructure of our own and we got chatting a bit. He told us to camp with them. All we had to do was show up. He took care of us and opened his hearth. And even though yes we were good friends, he would have done this for anyone – friend or stranger.

Whether it was a new cook showing up in an SCA kitchen for the first time, a town in need of three hot meals a day while recovering from staggering loss, or a wandering stranger in need of a meal, Wulfgang was an ever-present, living embodiment of hospitality. Much of that hospitality was given through the talent and skill Wulfgang had as a chef, respected far and wide for his knowledge of smoked meat. Bob was often found in SCA kitchens, one particular occasion was recalled by Their Graces Brennan & Caoilfhionn, who shared their thoughts:

Bob was a kind, generous, compassionate, and passionate man. He always had a way to make people smile. He was incredibly fast to volunteer to cook the feast for our first Coronation, and we were honored to have him help us put together a dinner for the Princes and Princesses of the Knowne World at Pennsic 44. He was a visionary with food. He was a treasure as a friend. He was a true gem of the East Kingdom. His light was so very warm and bright, and it went out way too soon. Our world is noticeably, painfully darker for his absence.

Her Majesty Anna recalls her time spent with Wulfgang in that very kitchen at Pennsic 44 and shared the following:

…I got to spend time cooking with him and several other wonderful people. We had so much fun, we were all laughing so hard, we were sure we were having more fun than the Royal kids were. Such a good man, I will think of him often, especially if I’m in a kitchen.

Brion very much enjoyed spending the day with him at Rapier Champions two weeks ago. Just hanging out and talking, getting to know each other better. You never know when its going to be the last time you get to see somebody.

Many know of Wulfgang’s efforts in the kitchen, but his generosity, hard work, and dedication to all he met extended beyond the feast hall and campfire. He was an annual presence during Pennsic Staff Week, arriving well before attendees to haul equipment around site, dig, pound stakes, and just about any task set at his feet. This enormous effort continued in many ways throughout the event, with time spent volunteering with both The Watch and Technical Services. Master Rupert the Unbalanced shared the following memory of Wulfgang at Pennsic:

Many of my fondest memories of Wulfgang are from Pennsic. One in particular revolves around his rule concerning the solar cell phone charger in his camp. Anyone could use the charger, so long as it didn’t ring while under his fly. One person violated this rule. The first time, his phone’s language was changed to French. The second time, Wulfgang dropped his drawers and took a selfie of his butt. Then, he made [that] the wallpaper of said violator’s phone. It was truly a quintessential Wulfgang moment.

Rules and traditions are the cornerstone of any family unit, whether formed though blood or by choice, and Wulfgang sought to create and continue traditions that will surely last amongst his chosen family. Again from Maîtresse Jehannine:

Pennsic morning coffee around his table became a camp tradition, and many a good story or Pennsic battle cry would come from the morning discussions, even once a good-natured water balloon fight with Bhakail. He started the tradition of a Thanksgiving feast for the camp and friends, which became a special evening filled with laughter and friendship.

Even back home, in the Barony of Carillion, Wulfgang served others. First, in kitchens, then as Canton Chatelaine, then Canton Seneschal, and most recently as Baronial Seneschal. He also served when construction projects came along, and was always quick to lend a hand. His friend and household member, Master Erhart von Stuttgart shared the following:

So many deep conversations were had that only consisted of grunts, “want a beer?”, “hungry?”, “try this.”, “hand me that tool.” [Wulfgang] had many skills that he would happily share and teach to anyone who asked.

When asked to describe Wulfgang, Maîtresse Jehannine said the following:

Pennsic… coffee… bacon… wood working… loud… humorous… ball-buster… generous… scotch and beer, brother… Protege… these are some words to describe the man that touched my life. He honored me by letting me serve as his mentor and Peer. In truth, he taught me just as much and he will forever remind me of what this Society means.

To Wulfgang, the SCA was about love and family, and Carillion was also a large part of Wulfgang’s extended family. His long-time friends and current Baron & Baroness of Carillion, Corcrán & Luned shared the following:

He made the loss of Cosmo a softer blow by continuing to bring us all together… now that he is gone, the loss is that much greater. There is a hole in all our hearts and our lives… we were friends, partners in crime, and each other’s chosen family. We will daily cherish the memories and good times shared.

Finally, a quote by Goethe, shared by Duke Gavin Kilkenny that very much “fit” Wulfgang:

Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though t’were his own.

Editor’s Note: This post appeared earlier with the words “Friday, November 7th” in the body of the post. Polls are due on Monday, November 7th.

Responses to the second poll of Their Majesties Brion and Anna need to be sent before midnight, Monday, November 7th, when the polls close.

Polls are sent to the members of the Orders of High Merit and the Peerages so that they may provide input to the Crown on future members. Orders which conduct polls include the Chivalry, Laurel, Pelican, Defense, Silver Crescent, Tygers Combatant, Sagittarius, Maunche, Golden Rapier, and Golden Lance.

If you are a member of one of the Orders of High Merit or the Peerage and are not currently receiving polling emails, please sign up via the instructions on the East Kingdom Polling Lists page. Please note that the discussion lists and the polling lists must be subscribed separately.

Documented from the Scrolls of the Reign of Marcus & Margerite, King and Queen of Æthelmearc: the Business of Her Majesty Margerite at Agincourt, October 29, Anno Societatis LI, in the Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands. As recorded by Maestro Orlando di Bene del Vinta, Jewel of Æthelmearc Herald.

photo by Lady Aine ny Allane

In the morning Her Majesty called for THL Kieran MacRae to answer if he would sit vigil this day, receive council, and respond to the question as to whether he would accept membership among the Order of the Laurel. Noting his existing relationship to another, Mistress Arianna of Wynthrope was called into Her Majesty’s presence who then released THL Kieran from her service as her apprentice. Then, THL Kieran was escorted by the Order to a place prepared for his vigil.

In the afternoon, upon the field, Her Majesty gathered Borderwatch before Her and spoke of their selfless service at the Great Pennsic War to Æthelmearc Royal, and so inducted the household into the Order of the Keystone.

photo by Lady Aine ny Allane

photo by Lady Aine ny Allane

In the evening, Her Majesty Margerite, accompanied by Prince Timothy and Princess Gabrielle, invited Their Excellencies Brandubh and Hilderun to join Her Majesty in Her Court. She then gave leave to Their Excellencies to conduct business of their court.

photo by Lady Aine ny Allane

Next, Their Royal Highness of the Middle Kingdom were welcomed into Her Majesty’s court, and gifts of friendship were exchanged between Her Majesty, Their Highnesses Æthelmearc and Their Highnesses Midrealm.

photo by Lady Aine ny Allane

Lady Mari was called before the Throne who, accompanied by two other children, presented masks made by the children of Æthelmearc.

Lady Alethea Cowle next presented herself before Her Majesty, who spoke of Lady Alethea’s acts of kindness and friendship to other teenagers at Pennsic, and for these deeds did bestow upon Lady Alethea the Æthelmearc Award of Excellence. Scroll created by HRM Margerite.

photo by Lady Aine ny Allane

Next, the attendance of Karl and Timothy of Arindale the Younger was sought. Her Majesty spoke of their participation in the Youth Heavy Weapons Tournament held this day and named both combatants as champions. Scroll by drawn and calligraphed by Mistress Roberta McMorland, upon words by Maestro Orlando di Bene del Vinta.

photo by Maestro Orlando

All children were then invited forward and invited to chase Lady Alethea Cowle, who had in her possession a chest of treasures from which the children could select an object to entertain themselves during the remainder of court.

Her Majesty’s Rapier Champion, Lord Jacob Martinson, was then called forward, and told of the tournament that day to determine Her Majesty’s next champion. 53 combatants entered the tournament, and Lord Durante de Caravaggio emerged as the victor. And so, Lord Durante was called before Her Majesty and named Her rapier champion, regaled with the accoutrements of this station, and invited to join Her Majesty’s court.

photo by Lady Arianna Dal Vallone

Having relieved Lord Jacob of his role as Her champion, Her Majesty spoke words of gratitude to Lord Jacob for his service and friendship and named him as one of Her guards. Scroll forthcoming with words by Duchess Dorinda Courtenay.

photo by Lady Arianna Dal Vallone

photo by Lady Aine ny Allane

Next, the Ladies of the Rose and Garnet were summoned before Her Majesty, and Countess Ariella was presented with a cloak of her new station as a member of that Order.

Lady Cairdha Eilis O’Coileain was next called to attend Her Majesty and named a member of Her Majesty’s guard. However, Her Majesty also noted the ongoing but quiet service of Lady Cairdha Eilis and so did induct her into the Order of the Keystone. Scroll forthcoming.

photo by Lady Arianna Dal Vallone

Being pleased at seeing the attendance of Lord Hennessy MacAdder among the populace gathered, Her Majesty bade him forward and spoke of his service to the kingdom and inducted him into the Order of the Keystone. Words by Proprietor Marcus Claudius Cincinnatus, scroll forthcoming.

photo by Lady Aine ny Allane

Lord Murdoch Stewart likewise could not hide from the royal gaze and was brought before Her Majesty. His skills with blades and great weapons, his teaching, and his defense of the kingdom had not escaped the notice of the Crown, and so was awarded a Golden Alce for his prowess. Scroll by Lord Oliver Sutton.

photo by Maestro Orlando

Lord Kawamura no Ryotaro Yoshichi was invited to approach Her Majesty, who spoke of his travels across the known world and of the fame he has gained for his prowess with blade. Thus, She recognized and awarded this skill with his induction in the Order of the Golden Alce. Words by Duchess Dorinda Courtenay. Scroll forthcoming

Next, THLady Minamoto Kumamoto Sakurako was called before Her Majesty and did tell the populace assembled of a tale of two fencers who, upon seeing the physical injury sustained by THLady Sakurako during the 7 Pearls Rapier Tournament did choose to give up tactical advantage upon the field and instead sit upon the ground to fight, matching THL Sakurako’s fighting position. For these acts of courtesy upon the field, Her Majesty awarded both Dona Emily of Dunvegan and Lord Padraig Ua Ceileachair a Cornelian in absentia.

photo by Maestro Orlando

Lady Cioaodh Gunn was then summoned before Her Majesty, and spoke of her works as seneschal, autocrat, cook, and retainer. She spoke of her indispensable work at War Practice, and so called forth the Order of Millrind and did induct Lady Cioaodh into said order. Scroll by Baroness Ekaterina Volkova. Additional words by Master Creador Twinedragon.

Lord Ian Campbell was then brought before the Sylvan Throne, where Her Majesty spoke praises of his skill and craftsmanship in tilework. And so, Her Majesty called for the Order of the Fleur d’ Æthelmearc and named Lord Ian a companion of that noble order. Scroll forthcoming.

Photo by Baroness Hilda

Her Majesty then required the attendance of Dona Gabrielle de Winter. She recounted Dona Gabrielle’s long service to the rapier community, to the College of Silva Vulcani, and to the Kingdom. Her Majesty then called for the Order of the Pelican and issued to Dona Gabrielle a writ of summons, and commanded her to return at a later date where she will answer the question as to whether she will join that same order.

Photo by Mistress Arianna.

Having additional business with the Order of the Pelican, a call went forth seeking Baron Robert O’Conner. Words of his deeds had reached the ears of the Crown, raised by many a noble of this Order and beyond. Unable to ignore such a clamor, Her Majesty extended a writ of summons to Baron Robert, and likewise charged that he return at a later date where he will answer the question as to whether he will join the Order of the Pelican. Scroll by Master Caleb Reynolds.

photo by Maestro Orlando

photo by Lady Aine ny Allane

THLord Kieran MacRae next was summoned to Her Majesty. She asked if he had considered well the council given to him this day, and if he still desired to be counted among the members of the Order of the Laurel, to which his lordship responded in the affirmative to both questions. Prince Timothy of Arindale then arose and spoke as a royal peer, stating THL Kieran represents Æthelmearc “old school” style; that he participates in so many activities within the Society, and that he does everything with honor and courtesy.

photo by Lady Aine ny Allane

Sir Kadan Chakilghan Ger on Echen then spoke as a member of the Order of Chivalry on how prowess is defined as skill or mastery of an activity not just limited to fighting. He noted THL Kieran’s prowess in music, in calligraphy, in fighting, and in fact, anything he chooses to undertake. Kameshima-kyo Zentarou Umakai of the Order of the Pelican rose next and spoke of a shared drive to do service. He spoke of the long history between the two as friends, and bore witness of THL Kieran’s gentleness, and kindness, courtesy, and honor. He stated that his lordship learns eagerly, and teaches generously, gives unselfishly of his time and energy, and receives humbly the same from others. Duchess Dorinda Courtenay spoke for the Order of Defense on the difficulty of the road to peerage, and how that road is most difficult toward the end. She spoke of THL Kieran’s ability to handle pressure well, and his display of patience and grace; traits indicative of a peer. Lastly, Master Creador Twinedragon stood and spoke on behalf of the Order of the Laurel. He recounted THL Kieran’s love and support of the arts and how he teaches to all who cannot get away fast enough. He spoke of how he offers kind words and guidance to others, and how he has clearly demonstrated mastery in calligraphy.

photo by Lady Aine ny Allane

Having heard the words of these Peers of the Realm, Her Majesty did call that this man be regaled in the vestments of the Order. A hood was brought forth and placed over his head, a medallion of his new station was hung about his neck, and a wreath of golden laurel leaves were then placed upon his brow. Being thus regaled, Her Majesty received his oath and did proclaim him Maighstir Kieran MacRae, Companion of the Order of the Laurel. Scroll forthcoming by Baroness Ekaterina Volkova and THLady Sophie Davenport.

photo by Lady Aine ny Allane

Her Majesty then spoke to the assembled populace of a lord who inspired Her this day. She spoke of his act of selflessness during Her rapier champion tourney in which this Lord gave up his spot in the second round so that another, Countess Ariella of Thornbury, might advance in his stead. Her Majesty then awarded Lord Magnus Bastiano de Vigo with a Golden Escarbuncle in absentia and named him Her inspiration this day.

Her Majesty then offered gratitude for the scribes and wordsmiths this day who had contributed their works so that the works of others might be recognized, and She offered the assembled scribes and wordsmiths a token from Her hand.

There being no further business, this court of Her Majesty was closed.

Responses to the second poll of Their Majesties Brion and Anna need to be sent before midnight, Monday, November 7th, when the polls close.

Polls are sent to the members of the Orders of High Merit and the Peerages so that they may provide input to the Crown on future members. Orders which conduct polls include the Chivalry, Laurel, Pelican, Defense, Silver Crescent, Tygers Combatant, Sagittarius, Maunche, Golden Rapier, and Golden Lance.

If you are a member of one of the Orders of High Merit or the Peerage and are not currently receiving polling emails, please sign up via the instructions on the East Kingdom Polling Lists page. Please note that the discussion lists and the polling lists must be subscribed separately.

Greetings unto the most talented and erudite Kingdom of Æthelmearc from Mistress Alicia Langland, Chancellor of Æthelmearc Æcademy!

Good Gentles,

Central Æthelmearc has arrayed herself in her brightest fall finery. I invite you to enjoy the spectacle as you travel to the Shire of Nithgaard for Fall 2016 Æthelmearc Æcademy and War College on Saturday, November 12.

Come and learn a new skill to help while away those dreary winter hours! Immerse yourself in a topic or activity that inspires you! Make new friends to geek out with!

The four combatants remaining in the tournament are as follows. Five wins will be required to advance. This means an undefeated fighter will need two wins; a fighter who has already lost a bout will need three wins.

It’s been exactly 50 years since the Arno river in Florence broke its banks and flooded the historic city with 22 feet of toxic sludge. Some of the greatest art in the world, 14,000 artworks and books, were lost forever. Many thousands more pieces of Florence’s immense cultural patrimony spent a day soaked in a dangerous, volatile and destructive mixture of water, mud, gas, sewage and naphtha forced out of underground home fuel tanks by the 40-mile-an-hour floodwaters.

One of the worst hit was the monumental 21-by-8-feet panel painting The Last Supper made in 1546 by painter and art historian Giorgio Vasari. Kept in the Basilica of Santa Croce which is a few blocks from the Arno and at a lower elevation than much of the rest of the city, The Last Supper was completely submerged in filth for more than 12 hours. When the waters receded, they literally pulled the paint and gesso underlay off the five poplar panels which were now the consistency of a sponge.

The Mud Angels, volunteers who flocked to Florence to do everything they could to save its mortally wounded art, waded through the sludge scooping up any tiny fragment of paint they could find. Art conservator Marco Grassi, carpenter Ciro Castelli and others worked together to salvage the moribund panel paining. They affixed sheets of Japanese mulberry paper to the surface with methacrylate resin to keep the blistered and peeling paint from coming off. The painting was then taken apart and its five component panels laid out flat on racks in the conservatory of a lemon orchard. The relatively humid environment, it was hoped, would allow the panels to dry slowly and minimize cracking and warping. It was the best they could do at the time, but the panels dried hard anyway. They lost two centimeters in width and developed cracks. The gesso primer dried poorly too, becoming unstable and crumbly.

The technology to repair the overwhelming amount of damage simply did not exist in 1966. It wouldn’t exist for another 40+ years. The breakthrough happened in 2010, when the Getty Foundation gave a $400,000 grant to the Opificio delle Pietre Dure, the stone mosaic workshop founded in the 16th century which has become one of the world’s leading art restoration institutes, to bring The Last Supper back from the dead and enlist the great expertise and experience of retired or retiring panel-painting conservators to train a new generation.

It was backbreaking labour. Removing the mulberry paper proved a devilish task, with swaths of paint, detached from the brittle gesso layer, coming off with the paper. Fixing the panels themselves was an immense challenge as well. They had to be enlarged to their original size in order to put the curled and lifted paint back into place. Ciro Castelli devised an ingenious method to resolve that conundrum. He cut tiny slits in the back and filled them and the original dowel tracks with jigsaw puzzles of poplar wood filler. This precision system stretched the panels and will also help preserve them going forward since it gives them room to expand and contract naturally.

There’s a wonderful article on the flood and restoration of the Vasari painting in The New York Times by Paula Deitz, who was in Florence on the day of the flood November 4th, 1966, in which Marco Grassi talks about his how they worked to save The Last Supper.

Documented from the Scrolls of the Reign of Marcus & Margerite, King and Queen of Æthelmearc: the Business of Æthelmearc Arts & Sciences Champions, 15 October, Anno Societatis LI, in the Shire of Sunderoak. As recorded by Maestro Orlando di Bene del Vinta, Jewel of Æthelmearc Herald.

Their Majesties invited Mistress Alicia Langland to address the populace whereupon she shared news of the upcoming Æthelmearc Æcademy & War College and invited all to attend.

Next, Their Majesties called for Simon a Fjarfelli and Hannah– the day’s two entrants in the Youth Arts and Sciences championship. Having spoken of each entrants submissions and the craftsmanship of each, Their Majesties faced a tough decision as to the winner of the competition. After much deliberating and consideration, Their Majesties named Simon as Their Youth Arts and Sciences Champion. Words and calligraphy by THL Máirghréad Stíobhard inghean uí Choinne with illumination by Lady Catherine O’Brien.

Their Majesties then bid Hannah tarry a bit longer. They praised her artistry and craftsmanship and did award her a Silver Sycamore. Scroll forthcoming.

Then, all children present were invited before the Throne and were advised of the chest-of-treasures in the possession of THL Alrekr Bergsson. Seeing the treasure-lust in the eyes of Their young subjects, Their Majesties released THL Alrekr from court with the chest and the children in pursuit.

Master Fridrikr Tomasson next approached the Throne. He read the names of the day’s entrants in the Kingdom Arts & Sciences Championship. He also read the names of the judges and offered tokens of gratitude for their service. Master Fridrikr also noted that Lord Hrolf Fjarfell was the winner of the populace choice.

The Kingdom Arts and Sciences champion, Lady Elska a Fjarfella, was then invited forward. Their Majesties thanked her for her services as the Æthelmearc A&S champion but noted that it was time for another to take her place, and so the winner of the day’s competition, Mistress Fredeburg von Katzenellenbogen was called forward and named as the new Æthelmearc Arts and Sciences Champion. She was given the regalia of the position and was then invited to join Their Majesties Court. Scroll wording by Duchess Dorinda Courtenay, calligraphy and illumination by Lady Abigail Kelhoge.

Next, the following gentles were recognized as nominees for the William Blackfox Awards. For Best Regular Feature: Lady Eleanor of Pembroke, Cooks Corner, Authors: Cooks Guild; The Apple Press, Shire of Sylvan Glen. For Best Artwork: THL Rhiannon Elandris, Cover Illumination, Ice Dragon, June 2014, Barony of Rhydderich Hael. For Best Layout and Design: Lady Aerin Wen, Windfalls, Shire of Coppertree. For Best Article: Lady Aerin Wen, Viking Navigation & the Sunstone; Author: Mistress Mathilde des Pyrenees, Summer 2014, Windfalls, Shire of Coppertree. For Best Overall Newsletter: Fuji’na no Takako, The Althing, Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands. For Best Poetry or Short Fiction: Leo Ronin, The Tale of the Wandering Lion: My story in verse. Across the Hills, Spring 2015, Barony of Endless Hills. Commendation for Best Special Edition: Lady Margarita Carpintero, Full tilt- 10thAnniversary Arts & Sciences Special Edition, Barony of Delftwood.

Mistress Illadore de Bedagrayne was then called before Their Majesties and gave her oath of fealty.

Their Majesties then invited Lord Hrolf Fjarfell to attend Them. They spoke of his skill in woodworking and named him a Companion of the Sycamore. Calligraphy and illumination by Lady Kaðlín Sigvaldakona, words by Master Fridrikr Tomasson.

Their Majesties then called for Lady Fenna Rioux. Praising her for her dedication and service in running events did induct her into the Order of the Keystone. Scroll forthcoming.

Next, Lady Oribe Tsukime presented herself to Their Sylvan Majesties, who spoke of her work on her Japanese persona and of her resist dyeing, and so did induct her into the Order of the Sycamore. Scroll forthcoming.

Lady Jerngurd Omgürd next came before the Throne. Their Majesties spoke of good food, and how Lady Jerngerd was responsible for not only today’s good food, but is known for such labors. Being pleased with her craft in cooking did induct her into the Order of the Sycamore. Scroll forthcoming.

Lady Rachel MacMichael receives a Golden Escarbuncle.

Her Majesties then wished to be attended by Lady Rachel McMichael, who was not present. Her Majesty spoke of the importance of the care of the youth of the kingdom and of how Rachel spent her day tending to the children and providing them activities that were both fun and engaging. For this service, Her Majesty named Rachel as Her Inspiration and awarded her a Golden Escarbuncle.

Their Majesties then thanked the scribes and invited any scribe who contributed work to the day’s event or Archers to the Wald to come forward, be recognized, and receive a token from Her Majesty’s hand.

There being no further business, this Court of Their Majesties was closed.

We, Emma Lovell and Caleb Patrasso Tigers Cubs and Pages to The Crown would like to challenge the children of the East Kingdom!

Our Queen is beautiful and she should have beautiful favors to give out to her people. We may be children but even kids can help and every person helping makes a job easier. We will be making favors for our Queen and we are asking that you, the children of the East, make favors too. Even if you just make one, that’s great! You can see what the favor should look like at this web address.

You will probably need your parents help and that’s ok. Doing stuff as a family is a lot of fun!
You can email our Mom Mistress Elizabeth Elenore Lovell and she can tell you where to send or drop off your favor when it’s done. If you don’t have email you should ask your parents. We hope you enjoy making pretty favors for our Queen!

I have recently been honored with the position of Royal Gifts Coordinator for Their Royal Majesties Brion and Anna, may they reign in health and prosperity forever.

As we are expecting many Royal visitors to the East this winter, and as Their Majesties plan to attend events outside of our kingdom, it is my honor and duty to ask those with the skills, generosity, and inclination to craft various items both beautiful and useful with which we might fill the Royal Gift Chest.

We will need both general items for the largess chests as well as items for gift exchanges with specific kingdoms’ royals at foreign wars. If you are interested in creating something personalized for the gift exchanges, please contact me directly and I will reach out to you once we know with whom we will be exchanging.

This kingdom is full of talented craftspeople. It is always with a home-team pride that our Royals give the fruits of our artists to others. Please consider making something for the Royal Gifts Chest. Their Majesties (and I) are grateful for your generosity and dedication to the East Kingdom.